I don't get it either. The flavor is there from the get go. What shows up after 8 months sounds more like a little oxidation which can seem like a heavy unpleasant caramel to me. How far down did you reduce the runnings ?

I've never gotten it to last that long, but in cleaning the keg and lines, ithe residue was definitely a bit gooey-er than with a standard Scottish Ale!

I don't get it either. The flavor is there from the get go. What shows up after 8 months sounds more like a little oxidation which can seem like a heavy unpleasant caramel to me. How far down did you reduce the runnings ?

I've never gotten it to last that long, but in cleaning the keg and lines, ithe residue was definitely a bit gooey-er than with a standard Scottish Ale!

I hear ya, it goes quick for a big beer ! Great stuff.

OP - Dumb question, but I assume this was a 5 gallon batch you brewed ? Just thinking that if it were a bigger batch you'd want to reduce more first runnings to have proportionally the same impact.

You guys should explain what kind of oxidation. Most will be thinking that causes cardboard wet paper, not carmel...

This blog references a study by Charlie Bamforth on how bottled beer changes with aging. Developing strong caramel flavor over time is one of those changes according to him. I noticed it back when I used to buy a lot of dusty imports.

You guys should explain what kind of oxidation. Most will be thinking that causes cardboard wet paper, not carmel...

This blog references a study by Charlie Bamforth on how bottled beer changes with aging. Developing strong caramel flavor over time is one of those changes according to him. I noticed it back when I used to buy a lot of dusty imports.

I get lost when Charlie goes too deep into the chemistry. My point I guess is that when we say oxidation many people think of that papery smell and flavor like you get if you let o2 in when bottling. Nonenol I guess is what they call it. But there are other effects from other types of oxidation. I like your dusty bottle analogy. I understand that oxygen interacting with other compounds can create a variety of off flavors over time. I usually pick these up in older dark beers. Sometimes carmel like, later it gets kind of like amaretto, and in the end its like soy sauce. I'm not keen on precisely what is going on but I believe its oxygen that has bonded with the menanoidins in darker beers and it starts throwing these flavors the older it gets.

Trust me, I feel the same. I try to hit the high notes in an article like that. The caramel thing, to me, comes after a while in the bottle. Not like a cardboard-y oxidation that shows up pretty quickly. Actually, the first 2 or 3 alts I tried were old dusty German imports and I just assumed I didn't like the style because of that old caramel thing. But a couple friends of mine brewed alts (and medaled with them IIRC) - I tried them and was blown away at how much I liked them. Now I brew alts too, but I never would've if the imports were all I had to go on.

You guys should explain what kind of oxidation. Most will be thinking that causes cardboard wet paper, not carmel...

This blog references a study by Charlie Bamforth on how bottled beer changes with aging. Developing strong caramel flavor over time is one of those changes according to him. I noticed it back when I used to buy a lot of dusty imports.

You guys should explain what kind of oxidation. Most will be thinking that causes cardboard wet paper, not carmel...

This blog references a study by Charlie Bamforth on how bottled beer changes with aging. Developing strong caramel flavor over time is one of those changes according to him. I noticed it back when I used to buy a lot of dusty imports.

Yeah, Fuller's can be all over the place in terms of that. Sometimes I'll pick up a cold bottle or two that's excellent, other times it's ok at best. Obviously it's all in the age. Someday I'm hoping to get over there and get some at the source (along with Fuller's London Pride as well) !

Yeah, Fuller's can be all over the place in terms of that. Sometimes I'll pick up a cold bottle or two that's excellent, other times it's ok at best. Obviously it's all in the age. Someday I'm hoping to get over there and get some at the source (along with Fuller's Pride as well) !

Drink some Chiswick Bitter, don't miss that one. It doesn't travel well at all.

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Jeff RankertAnn Arbor Brewers GuildAHA Governing Committee BJCP NationalHome-brewing, not just a hobby, it is a lifestyle!